Amorebieta’s Oier Luengo is expected to sign with Bilbao Athletic this summer (Amorebieta)

Bilbao Athletic capped off an incredible first season under new manager Gaizka Garitano by qualifying for the promotional playoffs. Although they were not able to earn their way to the Segunda, the campaign cannot be seen as anything other than a major success. Six players from the reserves will now spend the preseason with the first team, while a few others have left the club after not receiving contract renewals. With the team in need of new talent it now looks as though the club will be signing at least three defenders this summer.

According to reports from Nika Cuenca of Fiebre Rojiblana, as well asEl Desmarque Bizkaia, Bilbao Athletic are expected to sign Oier Luengo, Odei Arrieta, and Aitor Ruiz. The first two are seen as viable replacements for others who are no longer in the squad and will compete for their place in Garitano’s team during the preseason, while Ruiz is more of an option for the future. He joins from Deusto where, as a 19 year old, he has impressed and captured the eyes of Athletic. Although he will sign with Bilbao Athletic, he will remain with Deusto on loan for the upcoming season.

Luengo will join from SD Amorebieta where he has been one of the team’s most outstanding players. The 20-year-old center back is tall, strong, and has a good eye for reading the game. He was also courted by Eibar and Osasuna but has reportedly decided to come to Bilbao Athletic. The second player signing with the club will be 22-year-old Odei Arrieta, who just recently left Real Sociedad B. Andoni López will train with the first team this summer and, if he can’t convince Eduardo Berizzo, will go on loan in the Segunda which means there is need for a replacement. Arrieta will give Gaizka Garitano a second option along with Jon Rojo to battle for the left-back role.

Both reports claim that the deals for these two defenders are close to being complete which means that Athletic could be announcing the signings soon. Bilbao Athletic are hoping for another great season in the upcoming campaign and will look to return to the promotional playoffs once again. Gaizka Garitano has the Katxorros playing at a very high level and it will be interesting to see how the dynamic changes with so many new faces in the team.